Improvement in the methods of riveting latch knitting-needles



CHAR'LES P. 's. 'WARDWELL.

Improvement in Method of Riveting Latch Knitting Needles.

No. 121,562. Patented Dec-5,1871.

Wz'ljne s ses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHODS OF RIVETING LATCH KNITTING-NEEDLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,562, dated December 5, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES P. S. WARD- WELL, of Lake Village, in the county of Belknap and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new Process for the Manufacture of Latch-Needles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawing and to. the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my improved process consists in spreading the slot in the needle previous to inserting the latch and rivet, and closing it again by and during the process of riveting, so called, or heading down the rivet, thereby more eitectually securing the rivet in place and adding much to the durability of the needle.

Figure l is a longitudinal section of a needle, including the slot to receive the latch. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the rivet and latch and ready for the process of riveting. Fig. 3 is the same after the process of riveting.

To enable others skilled in the art to make needles by my improved process, I will proceed to describe it, viz.: I construct the body of the needle A, Fig. 1, precisely the same as for a common riveted needle, ready to receive the latch. I also make the latch B the same, except Imake the hole through it a very little largerin proportion to the size of the rivet than usual for rea' sons hereinafter stated. I also cut the rivets c a little longer than usual to compensate for the ameter of the rivet inside the slot is produced; hence a larger hole in the latch is required, and the rivet is more firmly secured in place. The process of riveting at the same time forces the sides of the slot back into their proper place again, and without causing them to press against the latch and prevent its free operation.

B y the usual process of making riveted needles the act of riveting, which is performed after the sides of the slot have been closed against the latches, forces the sides of the needle too tightly against the latch and prevents its free operation, making the needle thinner at that place, and renders it necessary to spread the sides sufficiently to loosen the latch, which strains or loosens the rivet and very much lessens the dr rability of the needle, besides spoiling a great many in the attempt. This requires to be done to a large percentage of needles as usually made. and if not riveted hard enough to require it, they are defective by the rivet not being sufficiently secured. The rivet of common riveted needles is upset in the slot during the process of riveting, and forms a swell or slightly increased diameter; but my process produces a greater swell in proportion as the slot is spread.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The hereindescribed improved method or process of securing the latch in latch knitting-nee dles, namely, spreading the slot of the needle, inserting the latch and rivet in place, and then closing the sides of the slot toward the latch in the act of riveting or heading down the rivet, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

O. P. S. WARDWELL. 

